9-year-old 'freedom fighter' preps for Sat's worldwide outcry

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'Soldier' Trevor Metcalf makes finishing touches on his uniform.

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uploaded by Sharon Raiford Bush

LOS ANGELES, CA -- When nine-year-old Trevor Metcalf (née, Beavers) joins animal rights activists on Saturday to bring awareness to the plight of a celebrated marine mammal, he will be flanked by supporters spanning the globe.

Widely known as actor/producer/philanthropist and animal welfare activist Raul Julia-Levy's 'tiniest soldier," Trevor, a resident of Seattle, WA, will join thousands of demonstrators worldwide who are actively pushing for the retirement and subsequent freedom of Lolita, the killer whale.

The whale has been living and performing at Seaquarium in Miami, FL, since her capture in 1970. The whale is believed to be the oldest orca in captivity. At 7,000 pounds, she reportedly subsists in a tank that is the smallest and oldest in North America. 

Now that Lolita is in her 40's, lobbyists want her to be free of living in a world they consider to be entertainment captivity.

So, armed with placards and leaflets, they will take their displeasure and controlled anger into the streets.

On Saturday, May 15, at high noon, demonstrations will take place in California, New York, New Jersey, Washington, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, Hawaii, Canada, The Netherlands, Australia, Hungary, and in many locations throughout the state of Florida. For a complete list of addresses, go here.

Meantime, family-oriented Trevor Metcalf has been preparing for this day when he, too, will have a chance to lend a voice to a whale that was snatched from her family more than four decades ago.

"Trevor has the whole family involved," said his proud mother, Audra Beavers, an animal rights activist.

Trevor was inspired to jump headfirst into the movement to free Lolita by his mentor, Julia-Levy, who was also reared to be sensitive to the needs of animals. 

When Julia-Levy began putting together his special army of celebrities and matinee idols, the 9-year-old was eager to volunteer his services, passion, enthusiasm and youthfulness.

In the field of animal rights, Trevor can comfortably bump chests with Julia-Levy's other heavyweights, including Wesley Snipes, Johnny Depp and Sir Elton John, to name a few.

And for a boy treading through his formative years, his mother is appreciative as she bears witness to her son's accelerated drive, determination and fortitude.

Trevor's mother said her son is even commanding his own Infantry division.

"That consists of his brother, Dustin, and his sister, Morgan. He's got grandma on Tshirt detail. All of us have been put to work," said Mrs. Beavers.

In addition to his school activities and daily chores, Trevor has been dedicated to designing Tshirts that he will hand out to participating demonstrators.

He wants the message on those Tshirts to be loud and clear: "LET LOLITA LIVE BACK IN THE OCEAN!"

Copy that, soldier.

Let Lolita Live